Japan economy

June trade data showed the US accounting for almost a third of Japan’s oil imports compared with just 7% in February.

Japan’s economy unexpectedly decelerates in Q2 as capital spending slips

Real GDP grows 1.1%; that is slower than a revised 1.9% pace in the previous quarter and falls short of forecasts for 2% expansion

2026-08-17T12:09:54.000Z

Takehiko Nakao said that it wouldn’t be unusual for Japan’s policy rate to reach 2.25 per cent or 2.5 per cent, given inflation of around 2 per cent.

Banking & Finance

Bank of Japan should raise rates at every meeting, ex-currency chief says

Traders see a 79% chance of a hike when the BOJ’s board meet on Sept 18

2026-08-17T04:47:37.000Z

The yen weakened to a 40-year low against the US dollar last month.

Banking & Finance

BOJ flags upside price risks and possible faster interest rate hikes

At its meeting last month, the Japanese central bank held its policy rate at 1% and signalled that it could possibly raise it in September

2026-08-10T02:58:46.000Z

The drop was led by declines in spending on food, utilities, transportation and communications and apparel.

International

Japan’s households continue to cut spending despite wage gains

Household expenditure adjusted for inflation dropped 3.3% in June, compared to a year earlier

2026-08-07T00:57:07.000Z

Fumio Kishida said: “It’s important to reaffirm and communicate the basics – that monetary policy is decided by the BOJ alone and there is no intervention into that decision by the government.”

Global Enterprise

Ex-Japan PM warns forex action won’t save yen without US$2.3 trillion growth strategy

Fumio Kishida’s comments come as PM Sanae Takaichi seeks to put the economy on track for faster expansion

2026-08-06T03:08:57.000Z

Consumption tax on food will be slashed to 1 per cent from 8 per cent for two years, supplemented by an additional 1 per cent rebate.

International

Japan’s ruling party backs Takaichi’s costly food tax cut plan despite fiscal concerns

It’s part of Takaichi’s efforts to ease the cost of living

2026-08-05T03:30:17.000Z

At first glance, Japan’s inflation appears well contained, but the country continues to cushion households with extensive government subsidies.

Wealth & Investing

INVESTING GLOBALLY & PROFITABLY

BOJ on hold in July, but case for another rate hike is taking shape

Inflationary pressure is being amplified by a rapidly weakening yen

2026-08-04T07:11:16.000Z

“Overall consumer price index rose 1.7 per cent year-on-year in June, showing only moderate rises,” Economy Minister Minoru Kiuchi said.

International

Japan’s economy minister offers sanguine view on inflation

The Bank of Japan last week warned on the risks of inflation overshooting its 2% target

2026-08-04T03:57:57.000Z

South Korean job seekers attending a job fair connecting them with Japanese employers in Seoul

Global Enterprise

Young South Koreans look for jobs in Japan as they struggle to find work at home

South Korean youth face a chronic shortage of desirable entry-level openings; in ageing Japan, meanwhile, firms are struggling to fill positions in large graduate schemes

2026-08-03T02:31:56.000Z

Japan’s manufacturing output grew at the quickest rate since February 2014.

International

Japan’s factory output surges to near 12-year high in July, PMI shows

New orders rose at the fastest pace since January 2022

2026-08-03T01:48:24.000Z

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